ATA lawsuit against NY use of toll revenue thrown out over procedural problem

The American Trucking Associations’ class-action suit against the New York Thruway Authority and its practice of shifting toll revenue to funding maintenance of the state’s canal system has been thrown out, as a federal judge in the state’s Southern District ruled Aug. 6 to dismiss the case.

The judge dismissed the case on procedural grounds, saying that the state of New York is an indispensable party to the suit and must be part of the case. But the 11th Amendment of the Constitution prevents parties from suing states in federal court, Judge Colleen McMahon said in her ruling.

ATA brought the suit in November 2013, claiming that in the last two decades the NYTA has used more than $1 billion in toll revenue to fund the canal system. ATA argued that the toll rates paid by truckers are “excessive in relation to the benefits” it receives, and the Association was seeking restitution for four trucking companies in the state, affected ATA members and others similarly situated, as well as a tax rate more in line with the approximated use of the Thruway.